Animal-trap



J. A. DIETZ.

ANIMAL TRAP.

(No Model.)

No. 546,918. Patented Sept. 24, 1895.

'uPyE WZZJVESSES (55% MM .PNOTO-UTHO NHE rates NT FFEQE JOSEPH ADAM DIETZ, OF ST. MARYS, PENNSYLVANIA.

ANIMAL-TRAP.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters ?atent No. 546,918, dated September 24,1895.

Application filed December 13, 1894. Serial No. 531 ,618- (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH ADAM DIETZ, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of St. Marys, in the county of Elk and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Animal-Traps; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to improvements in self-setting animal-traps, which shall be simple and economical in construction and efficient in operation.

The invention consists in the novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter fully described, and claimed. 7

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective view of an animal-trap constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a longitudinal section of the same. Fig. 3 is an end view showing a slightly modified construction.

In the said drawings the reference-numeral 1 designates the base of the trap, consisting in the present instance of aboard adapted to be placed upon or secured to a cage or other receptacle 2. This base is formed with a rootangular opening 3 and is provided with a box consisting of Vertical back wall 4, curved front 5, having vertical extension 6 and segmental sides 7, secured to the curved front. One of these sides 7 is formed with an extension 8, secured to the back 4 and extension 6, closing this end of the box. The end of the box opposite this extension 8 is open to allow an animal to enter the same.

The numeral 9 designates a sliding grating, which forms a top for the box. The lower end of the box is secured to the base adjacent to the edges of the rectangular opening.

The numeral 10 designates a horizontal rotatable shaft resting upon the base 1 and engaging with notches or recesses 12 in the lower edges of the sides 7. This shaft is provided with four radial platforms 13 at right angles to each other, forming a flutter-wheel, which is rotated by the weight of an animal, as hereinafter described. Pivoted to a bracket 14, secured to the end or extension 8 of the box, is a vertical trigger 15, having its inner end bent inwardly and extended through an opening in said end or extension. The extremity of the trigger is then formed into a barbed hook 16 to receive the bait. The lower end of the trigger is bent inwardly at a right angle, forming a lug 17, which is adapted to engage one of the platforms l3 and prevent the flutter-wheel from rotating. A spring 18, secured at one end to the side of the box, bears against the trigger with its free end and forces the lug into engagement with the platforms. A Vertical spring 19 on the back wall 4 engages with the upper edge of the platforms after the wheel has been rotated to prevent backward movement thereof. Secured to the lower edge of the back4 of the boxis a downwardly-depending curved plate 20.

In the modification shown in Fig. 3 the construction is identical with that above described, except that both ends of the box are open and the trigger is connected with the back thereof instead of one end.

The operation is as follows: The trap is placed on 01 secured to a cage, box, or other receptacle, and the hook 16 baited. The lug 17 of the trigger is forced inwardly by the spring 18, so that it will engage under the end of one of the platforms, thus preventing the flutter-wheel from rotating. If an animal now enters the box through the open end and attempts to secure the bait, the trigger will be tripped, withdrawing the lug from under the platform, when the weight of the animal will rotate the flutter-wheel, thereby causing the animal to be deposited in the receptacle below. As soon as said wheel is rotated, as just stated, the lug will be again forced inward, so that when the next platform comes to a horizontal position or makes a quarter revolution the wheel will be again stopped and the trigger be automatically set for the next victim.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is In an animal trap, the combination with the base 1 havinga rectangular opening 3, the box consisting of vertical back wall 4, curved front 5, vertical extension 6 and segmental sides 7,

for preventing backward movement of the flutter wheel, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto aflixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOSEPH ADAM DIETZ. Witnesses:

GEO. ED. WEIS, HENRY GAUSMAN. 

